Vacation in Tahiti and French Polynesia

Background Information

The Society Islands are part of French Polynesia. Tahiti is just one of the islands in this five island group which is, in turn, a part of French Polynesia, which is, in its turn, a part of the South Pacific region of Polynesia. (See the maps at Lonely Planet for a global perspective on Tahiti.) The islands formed as a result of volcanic action over two million years ago. The eons of vocanic action and erosion are what give the islands their spetacular vistas and dramatic topography. The growth of coral reefs contribute to the breathtaking blues of the lagoons. Settlers first arrived on the islands only about 2,000 years ago as part of the eastward movements of the peoples who came to be called Polynesians. The flowers, fruits, vegetables, and animals we associate with the South Pacific can be traced to the eastward migration of these people across the ocean from South East Asia. Polynesia itself is a triangle in the Pacific with Hawaii, Easter Island, and New Zealand as its points. European colonization of the Society Islands began in the late 1700s and Captain Cook's three voyages between 1769 and 1779 introduced the region to Europeans. In 1789 one of the most famous historical incidents occurred- the mutiny on the HMS Bounty. The 1962 film Mutiny on the Bounty with Marlon Brando and the 1984 film The Bounty with Mel Gibson were both filmed extensively on locations (Bora Bora and Moorea respectively) in the islands. After Cook's voyages, both missionaries and traders were quick to arrive and subsequently pretty much destroyed aboriginal cultures. Best estimates put the population at about 40,000 in 1780; by the 1820s it was about 6,000. Through a series of complex political events, the French took control of the Society Islands from the British in 1842. French Polynesia has since remained a territory within the French Republic with autonomous status. The official languages are Tahitian and French. The total population is about 220,000 with 100,000 concentrated in Papeete, the capital on the island of Tahiti. We recommend that travelers considering a trip to French Polynesia pick up a copy of the Lonely Planet guide. It is an invaluable source of accurate and useful information.

Our Plans

Here we are on Huahine:
Gobi and Becky o Huahine

We are: Gobind Khalsa and Becky Riehm. We were going to go to Fiji but there was a coup in mid April so we made last minute plans for Tahiti. We may still get to Fiji....later. Gobind worked for a travel company (Cruises Inc.) so one of their agents helped out. Becky made the arrangements for the multiple cats. And off we were to LA. We flew Air France to Tahiti and highly recommend their service- no delays, no whacky passengers, good food. And they bumped us to business class for the return trip. Becky's favorite part was snorkeling in the Coral Gardens on Bora Bora. What especially struck Gobind was the sensory richness to be found everywhere."Our experience of Tahiti was so intense it was like living a dream!" These views of Bora Bora from Motu Piti Anu near the Coral Gardens may give you some idea of what we mean. As Becky says, "It was the best time I've ever had in my entire life!"

And it is more beautiful than the brochures:
Huahine view